WordGarden.iorenewal
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪnjˈuːəl/
US
- /rɪˈnuəl/
Meanings
Noun
the process of making something new, active, or strong again
the extension or reissue of a license, contract, membership, or subscription
a religious or spiritual revival or recommitment
More meaningsFewer meanings
the replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues, or biological material
Beyond the definition
Renewal is the act of making something active, fresh, or valid again. It can be practical, like renewing your driver's license, passport, lease, contract, or subscription. It can also describe a new sense of energy or hope after a hard time. When winter turns to spring, many people see that change as a kind of renewal because life returns and things feel fresh again.
It often suggests that something is not completely new, but started again, continued, or brought back in a better state.
Renewal is the act or process of making something valid, active, fresh, or strong again. Very often, it means continuing something for another period of time, such as a license renewal, contract renewal, lease renewal, or subscription renewal. In these cases, the thing already exists, and renewal allows it to keep going.
The word is also used for restoring or refreshing something. A building may go through renewal when it is repaired and improved. A person may feel a sense of renewal after rest, prayer, time in nature, or a major life change. In this sense, the word suggests new energy, hope, or purpose after a time of stress, loss, or tiredness.
Renewal can also describe wider social or natural change. People speak of urban renewal when older parts of a city are rebuilt or improved. In nature, spring is often linked with renewal because plants grow again and the world seems to wake up after winter.
Overall, renewal usually points to one of these ideas: something continues for longer, something old is restored, or someone begins again with fresh energy.
Examples
- 1
Documents
My passport is due for renewal next month.
- Phrasedue for renewal
needing to be renewed soon
- 2
Subscriptions
Be sure to turn off automatic renewal if you only want the service for one month.
- Phraseautomatic renewal
continues unless you cancel
- 3
Lease negotiation
The company is negotiating the renewal of its lease for another five years.
- 4
City planning
After the election, there was renewed talk of urban renewal in the city center.
- Phraseurban renewal
improving old parts of a city
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Personal feeling
After a few days away from work, she returned with a sense of renewal.
- Phrasea sense of renewal
a feeling of fresh energy or a new start
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- license renewal
- contract renewal
- urban renewal
- spiritual renewal
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- renewalnoun
Forms
- renewalspluralnoun